An Iraqi, who is taking a doctorate at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), was today charged in the Nibong Tebal Magistrate Court with reckless driving and causing the death of a student at the university, Fadilah Abdul Halim, 27, last Thursday.

Hamood Sheehab Hamid, 45, is charged with committing the offence at the traffic light exit to USM, at Jalan Transkrian about 9.45am.

Hamood, who is taking a doctorate in electronic engineering, is charged with driving in a reckless and dangerous manner under section 41 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987.

However, no plea was recorded because Hamood could neither understand English nor Malay.

Magistrate Mohd Izham Ali ordered Hamood's passport be surrendered to the court and set bail at RM5,000 in two sureties, a local and a foreigner.

He fixed March 23 for mention.

Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Ghazali Muhamad Nadzri prosecuted, while Hamood was represented by lawyer Badrul Hisham Abdullah.

- Bernama